Dia de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday that honors loved ones who have departed. The celebration is a less grim way of looking at death, as it incorporates culture in general festivities. They prepare special food, decorate cemeteries with papel picado, flowers, and candy calaveras, which are sugar skulls. They could even choose to do parades. All is done because the spirits of the dead visit their families on Oct. 31 and leave on Nov. 2.

This famous tradition started 3,000 years ago by the Aztecs, who feared that mourning would be a sign of insult to the dead.

Adrien Arellano, a junior at Canyon High, said, “[We] celebrate [deceased] family members by making food and stuff. [We] sometimes even read the Bible in Spanish.” His family celebrate Dia de los Muertos, remembering and honoring their passed, yet cherished, loved ones.

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